Law and Order

By Ed Maier, Former Andersen Partner

It’s a great life—this retirement.

In the past year, I have given up my business-related, client-serving opportunities. I am gradually adding more retirement “to-do’s” to my schedule. I am seeking new things to try—things I have not done in the past. At this point in my life, I believe variety is the best recipe for enjoyment and personal growth.

For example, I recently enrolled in my local Citizens Police Academy. It runs for twelve weeks, one night a week. Each week officers from different departments present us with a summary of the nature of the work they perform, some of the tools they use to perform it and stories about their successes and failures in doing so.

Through the first seven weeks in our classroom training, I have learned about: the usage and effectiveness of body-worn cameras; the masterful skills of K-9’s and their training and performance; traffic control, management and accident investigations; the use of radar and lasers; CAPERS (Crimes Against Persons) which reflected the detailed steps and repetitive actions required to conduct investigations to the point at which arrests can be made and positive results obtained. I have learned how the SWAT team (Special Weapons and Tactics) works and seen examples of their equipment, procedures, special tactical measures and methods to resolve high-risk incidents. I have learned about procedures for dealing with mental health situations and narcotics investigations; and I have seen examples of how new tools, such as drones, are used in policing. We also listened to an extensive recording of a discussion between a negotiator and an individual who barricaded himself in his home and refused to exit on demand. The officers involved brought this situation to a satisfactory conclusion after many hours of painstaking conversation—with no harm to anyone. Future classes will include a tour of the city jail; the chance to experience shoot-and-don’t shoot scenarios; understanding details of crime scene investigations (CSI); and enforcement of driving-while-intoxicated (DWI) laws.

In addition to the classroom activities, I attended an event which allowed me to drive the police department training course and learn how to handle a police vehicle at high speeds. On my first two runs around the obstacle course, I did fairly well. But I lost control and wiped out on the third! Quite an experience!

I have also had the opportunity for a morning drive-around with one of the patrol officers. This was especially interesting as the officer I rode with explained the different uses of modern technology in the vehicle and how they enhance his ability to do his job. It was very informative to accompany him and to see various scenarios in traffic and on the streets as he sees them. He helped me become more aware of potential situations that might increase personal risk or have negative impact on my life. He also shared some stories about his own development as he has pursued his career in law enforcement.

This entire experience has been very enlightening and informative. It is easy to read newspaper articles and follow news stories on television to make judgments about what the police should or should not do in various circumstances. This class has given me much more insight into the everyday challenges that these men and women face as they, literally, put their lives on the line to serve and protect us. I wholeheartedly recommend if your local police department offers citizens the opportunity to participate in a program like this that you volunteer to participate in it. And if the police department is not something of interest, you might also find that your community offers similar programs related to the fire department and city-government activities.

As I said earlier, retirement is a great stage in life. But as I look back on my life and career, I realize I could have already done some of these “different” things with a little bit more effort on my part. I hope you won’t wait as long as I did to break out of your daily routines and experience something totally new and potentially exciting.

And, if you have already done something that’s “outside your comfort zone”, share it with me. I would love to hear from you.

As always, I am interested in your thoughts. Feel free to write to me at

edmaier46@gmail.com. And, if you enjoy my writing, you can read more of it in my book Think Straight, Talk Straight, which you can find on Amazon right here.